Profile on Solomon Taiwo – He just wants to play

Solomon Taiwo has had some minor injury issues in the past, he admits his temper has let him down in the past but now he just wants to get back to showing what he can do on the field.

Having seen his dream move to Cardiff City not work out, he says, “I’m just keen to get playing, and once I am, I’ll be flying.”

But admits, “I know I’m not in the new manager’s [Malky Mackay] plans, so I’m looking for a fresh start.”

Taiwo is currently on loan at Leyton Orient, from Cardiff City, he is a combative midfield player who is happiest sat in front of the defence, using his passing skills to get his team playing.

He is a big fan of the loan market, “It gives players a chance to play; when you haven’t been playing, you get to be part of a team again.”

His latest side are currently three points clear of Wycombe and one place outside the relegation zone. Next up are Yeovil, who are fresh from a 6-0 thrashing, but the Nigerian born player is not thinking about that, “We have to concentrate on our own game, if we can win, then it will take the pressure off the team.” 

In 2009, he signed for Cardiff from Dagenham & Redbridge, for a fee thought to be worth around £250,000.

Dave Jones, his new boss told the BBC at the time: "He is a good prospect, a strong, a good athlete and comfortable on the ball."

Taiwo admits that he fell out with Jones, towards the end of the current Sheffield Wednesday’s manager spell at Cardiff, which was due to the player becoming frustrated at a lack of opportunity, but he was full of praise for his ex-boss, “I wish him all the best, I learned a lot from him, he’s a very good coach.”

The midfield player made a name for himself playing non-league football, when he was at Sutton United he got his break, Dagenham & Redbridge took him on loan initially, and having impressed he was signed at the end of the season.

In his first full season, he played 46 times and managed to score six times, which helped him to be voted player of the year and led to his move to Championship club, Cardiff.

His chances at the Welsh club were limited, since joining in August 2009; his first team opportunities have been restricted to 12 appearances.

He returned Daggers the next season on loan, enjoying 16 league starts but after returning to Cardiff he struggled for first team action and is now happy at Leyton Orient, where he is getting to play regularly.

Taiwo does tend to flirt with Twitter, where he interacts with fans, but on the whole he is a family man who likes to do his talking on the pitch and keep his private life private.

As for the future, the midfield player expects to leave Cardiff in the summer; he has a year to go on his contract, but does not want to go through another season being a bit-part player, he is hungry to show what he has to offer.

This interview was arranged by Taiwo’s representative Simon Dent of WWW.SJDENTMGT.COM (ROAR Global Sports Limited).

By Scott Balaam

Twitter @scottbalaam